Sherriff wont arrest Nissan performance

Bradley Sherriff has revealed he will not race his Nissan Skyline rocket ship if it’s restricted by Motorsport Australia.

Almost the entire Australian motorsport community was left jaw-dropped when it witnessed the Tasmanian engine tuning specialist, Sherriff clock 327kph in his Nissan Skyline GTS-T R32 in the Combined Sedans support category at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

With 1170 horsepower delivered at the rear wheels, produced by the car’s heavily modified Billet blocked-RB26 engine, no one in the 56-car Combined Sedans field had an answer as it blazed into the distance up Mountain Straight.

To see more about the Nissan and watch it on track click HERE

Even with the amazing straight line speed, Sherriff was unable to collect any wins having retired from race 1 due to a mechanical issue and race 3 after a heavy crash at Reid Park.

He stormed from last to second in the Saturday morning race, but was demoted one position to third after breaking the pre-regulated minimum lap time of 2:09.0s.

The moment in question was recorded on lap 7 of the second race when he was clocked at 2:08.8336s.

Despite fan speculation, there has been no indication Sherriff will not be allowed to race in the future and Motorsport Australia has released a short statement clarifying its stance.

Bradley Sherriff clocked 327kph going down Conrod Straight at Bathurst last weekend.Image: Riccardo Benvenuti

Currently no changes have been made to the Sports Sedans vehicle eligibility regulations, but the governing body did not rule out amendments in the future.

The Motorsport Australia statement read…

“At this stage, there have been no changes to Sports Sedans’ regulations regarding vehicle eligibility. Motorsport Australia may consider changes to ensure all vehicles can run safely at Australian circuits,” said a Motorsport Australia spokesperson said in a statement supplied to AUTO ACTION.

Sherriff has been in contact with Motorsport Australia and said he still holds ambitions of racing in the Precision National Sports Sedans Series.

But he said if his Nissan is restricted it will become “display piece” rather than remain a race car, believing the time he loses in the corners is greater than what he gains down the straights.

“If it comes down to the car being limited in any way, it will be something that will sit in my shop to look at,” Sherriff told AUTO ACTION.

“The plan is to run this car and the sister car (#44 R32 Skyline GTS T) Nissan at a national level in the Precision National Sports Sedans events.

“From the conversations I have had with Motorsport Australia they are being very cagey, but I don’t believe there will be a track limit applied or enforced to this car.

“This thing will go well over 300kph at Sandown and Phillip Island. The strength is straight line handling.

“If I was to (be limited and) give away 35-50kph advantage, I can’t make up the time the other cars gain exiting slow turns where they have extra mechanical grip.

“Most of those cars are 200-250kg lighter, so to limit the area the car is strong and still be competitive I don’t think can happen.”

The 2023 Precision National Sports Sedans Series is braced for a big year, kicking off at the Tasmania SuperSprint in May 19-21 before finishing with a bang at the Bathurst 1000 on October 5-8.

Although Sherriff was apprehensive at racing in Winton, he has plans on contesting rounds of the Precision National Sports Sedans Series, including Bathurst where he believes seconds could be gained with fresh tyres and setup changes.

With thanks to DMAC Photography for the main image captured at Symmons Plains in August last year.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport